PMS AND PMDD

Current research demonstrates that women with PMS/PMDD experience lower melatonin levels, higher body temperature, and worse subjective perception of sleep quality. This review outlines some possible mechanisms behind these findings and proposes recommendations for future research.

INFERTILITY AND MENTAL HEALTH

PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS DURING PREGNANCY

Telomere length or TL was negatively correlated with severity of PPD symptoms at pregnancy week 32 and postpartum week 6. PPD was associated with shorter TL. Lastly, ACE moderated the TL-trajectory association; with increasing ACE, individuals with persistent PPD symptoms had shorter TL, whereas the opposite pattern (longer TL) was observed in the controls.

Depressive symptoms during pregnancy and postpartum: associations with mode of conception and demographic and obstetric factors – PubMed

No significant association was identified between the mode of conception and depressive symptoms during the antenatal or postnatal period. Assisted reproductive technology was not a risk factor for depressive symptoms during the pregnancy and postpartum periods.

Making decisions about antidepressant use during pregnancy: a qualitative interview study of a sample of women in the United Kingdom – PubMed

Most women had concerns about adverse effects and viewed antidepressants as adjunctive to non-pharmacological treatments, which were reported as difficult to access. Some women reported that professional advice was insufficiently detailed. Women described the need to cope with their symptoms, their baby, and existing responsibilities, and related their decisions to their perceived ability to cope. This perception was influenced by physical and emotional challenges relating to pregnancy. Women’s decisions were influenced by their previous experiences and by the perceived societal expectations placed on pregnant women.

Perinatal continuity of care for mothers with depressive symptoms: perspectives of mothers and clinicians – PubMed

Mothers and clinicians perceived benefits of continuity of care for maternal mental health. Offering midwife-led continuity of care to mothers with mild to moderate depression during the perinatal period is recommended.

The effect of a digital intervention on symptoms of depression in pregnant women exposed to Intimate partner violence in Denmark and Spain (STOP study) – PubMed

The findings suggest that a brief digital intervention is associated with a reduction in depression symptoms among pregnant women exposed to IPV, particularly among those with high levels of depressive symptoms.

Progress in perinatal mental health research – PubMed

In pregnant women with depression, this study observed higher body weight, higher EPDS scores, and higher prevalence of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia compared to non-depressed pregnant controls. Levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, fasting glucose, C-reactive protein, systolic BP, and diastolic BP were positively correlated with EPDS scores.

MEDICATIONS AND PREGNANCY

In mothers with no SSRI exposure and infants, platelet 5-HT levels were not affected by the presence of maternal depression. Lower maternal and infant platelet 5-HT levels were associated with more immature fetal movement quality.

POSTPARTUM PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS

Of the 142 064 participants, 23.4% had no psychiatric history, 47.4% had only family history, 6.0% had only personal history, and 23.2% had both. The latter group had the highest risk of PPD: absolute risk of mild/moderate PPD was 11.7% (95% CI 11.5%; 11.8%), and adjusted RR: 2.35 (95% CI 2.22; 2.49). Alone, personal psychiatric history was the most potent risk factor.

Ten-year trajectories of postpartum depression of Japanese mothers and fathers – PubMed

Researchers identified four depressive symptom trajectories of depressive symptoms for mothers and fathers (escalating: 6.5 %; mothers low and fathers moderate: 17.2 %; mothers high and fathers low: 17.9 %; low: 58.4 %).

Substance Use Disorder as a Risk Factor for Postpartum Depression: A Retrospective Chart Review in a Community Hospital – PubMed

Mothers with SUD had a 4.3 times higher risk of PPD compared to those without SUD (OR = 4.8), highlighting a significant association.

Postpartum Psychosis as a Precursor to Schizophrenia: A Comprehensive Review – PubMed

Findings suggest that while the transition from PP to schizophrenia is not inevitable, there is an increased risk, with some studies indicating that a subset of women with PP may develop a chronic psychotic disorder later on.

Effectiveness of Psychosocial Interventions in Preventing Postpartum Depression Among Teenage Mothers-Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials – PubMed

The findings of this review suggest that psychosocial interventions can effectively prevent PPD, particularly within the first 3 months of the postpartum period.

The association of delivery during a war with the risk for postpartum depression, anxiety and impaired maternal-infant bonding, a prospective cohort study – PubMed

The study revealed an increased risk of PPD, a marginally risk for postpartum anxiety, and some aspects of impaired mother-infant bonding among women delivering during the war.

Association of Maternity Leave Characteristics and Postpartum Depressive Symptoms among Women in New York – PubMed

Compared to having at least some paid leave, having unpaid leave was associated with an increased odds of postpartum depressive symptoms, adjusting for leave duration and selected covariates (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.93). There was no significant difference in postpartum depressive symptoms between those with partially and those with fully paid leave. In contrast to prior literature, leave duration was not significantly associated with postpartum depressive symptoms (aOR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.02 for each additional week of leave).

MEDICATIONS AND BREASTFEEDING

Lisdexamfetamine improved both subjective and objective measures of attention and working memory and could offer women experiencing cognitive difficulties post-risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy an alternative therapeutic option.

PERINATAL SUBSTANCE USE

A service coordination model utilizing a patient navigator role to coordinate client services coupled with an approach that serves the infant and caregiver needs was feasible and desirable by all stakeholders within a rural setting. Service coordination effectively impacted select caregiver and infant outcomes.

MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH AND CHILD OUTCOMES

Three broad themes and six sub-themes emerged: 1) experiences with the immediacy of attachment at birth are diverse (traumatic birth experience, sense of a maternal identity), 2) contextual factors on the bonding experience (physical touch-based caretaking, parenting stress and depression), and 3) time spent parenting influences attachment (reciprocity, parental confidence/knowledge). In conclusion, this study did not find empirical evidence to support an innate maternal instinct.

Maternal mind-mindedness and infant oxytocin are interrelated and negatively associated with postnatal depression – PubMed

Infant salivary oxytocin (OT) was positively correlated with mothers’ appropriate mind-related comments, and negatively correlated with maternal depression scores. However, the administration of intranasal OT did not significantly influence levels of mind-mindedness.

Maternal Adverse Childhood Experiences and Biological Aging During Pregnancy and in Newborns – PubMed

The findings of this study suggest that maternal ACEs may be associated with epigenetic aging later in life, including during pregnancy, supporting a role for maternal ACEs in offspring development and health later in life.

MENOPAUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

OTHER TOPICS IN WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH

In this meta-analysis including 10 studies, psychotherapeutic interventions given to women positively affect their grief adaptation and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.